bangor (Orono: neighborhoods, good schools, living in)

[EternalNomad]

hi. my husband is military and there is the possibility we may have to relocate from PA (we like it here) to somewhere else.

One potential base is in Bangor, ME.

I have always wanted to live in Maine. I like winter. My husband is not quite as much of a fan as me! (but he owes me...i lived for 10 years in TX and FL!)

So, can anyone tell me anything about Bangor? I have 3 kids under 8.
Is there enough to do? (shopping, arts, outdoors?). Will i be snowed in for months on end? Climbing the walls and taking anti-anxiety meds by the handful?

I am pretty flexible. I like exploring new areas and meeting new people. Would it be easy to make friends? Or will we be shunned as "out of towners"?

As you can see i have numerous questions.
hopefully someone can give me some info!

[msina]

Bangor is a great area. Here are a couple links to give you some info.
Bangor Daily News
Welcome to the City of Bangor
bangorinfo.com: Bangor Shopping

[mollysmiles]

well, I'm biased because I lived there for a while (15 years!)....but I love it! Great small city for families, with quite a bit to do. Good schools, nice library, beautiful Discovery Museum for the kids, and centrally located to many other areas in Maine you'll probably want to visit. The people are friendly and down to earth, and the city parks are placed in neighborhoods in such a way that kids and parents from the same neighborhood can easily meet and get to know each other. The links msina posted will give you some more specific info.
Also, read through some of the other threads on here, because Bangor is mentioned frequently!

[Maine Writer]

I like this magazine a lot. The publisher's on top of things and has done a great job. Bangor Events, Attractions, Shopping and Business - Bangor Metro Magazine - Bangor, Maine

[forest beekeeper]

I am retired military, my wife works at the commissary.

We are really enjoying Maine. Bangor is great!

[For Sale or Rent]

Yes, there is plenty to do in Bangor, and, no, you won't be snowed in for months at a time! Borders bookstore has a storytime. That's a good place to meet new people. There are a few mom's groups in Bangor. One meets at Bangor Baptist. There's another one for moms who take a break from working to raise their young children. There are always opportunities to volunteer and you can meet lots of people that way! You could also get involved with the family program at the base.

[AlisonL]

Bangor has a wonderful public library. I think you would enjoy living in Bangor. Plenty of shopping, things for children to do, airport if you want to take a flight somewheres, ect.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Bangor has a Children's Discovery Museum with lots of hands on. There are many parks. In nearby Orono is the Maine Center for the Arts with many concerts and shows (mostly liberal). Bangor has always had many military families and being thje second largest city in Maine there are many professional people coming and going. The idea that Maine people don't welcome newcomers is a myth. Just don't run for school board during your first year. You'll be fine.